That the cast is a walking PSA for safe sex/abstinence. Seriously, kids…this show should make you want to RUN to your parents and slap on that ol’ purity ring. Yeah, that’s right Selena Gomez…I’m talking to you…take it easy and slow with the Bieb-ster.

That Snooki and Deena’s definition and personification of “being classy” makes the porn star who recently went on an all-night cocaine bender with Charlie Sheen look like Mother Teresa.

So as you can imagine… I now have to use discretion when the inevitable subject of where I live is broached. And the enormous pop-culture relevancy that Jersey Shore has become has spawned trickle-down fall-out effects on the locals who actually call the Jersey Shore home. Here are various scenarios that I have encountered in the last few months since the show’s debut.

Sometimes it seems like NJ residents can be more divided than a blue or red state!

-The Boss or Bon Jovi? (No crossing party lines.)

-When you’re going to The City, do you mean Philadelphia or New York? (That designates if you are from South Jersey or North Jersey.)

-The Windmill or Max’s?

For long term Jersey Shore residents and tourists alike, the mere mention of Windmill Hot Dogs or Max’s Famous Hot Dogs elicits fierce, passionate arguments about which establishments serve the finest hot dogs.

Forget Coney Island’s Nathan’s franks…forget the New York City “dirty water dogs”…forget the Italian-style hot dogs popularized by North Jersey restaurants (Yes, there is a North Jersey, dear Virginia, but that’s a story for another time). Entirely different entity.

Windmill and Max’s hot dogs are classic, open face grilled, charred and split open to perfection. They are considered the classic “boardwalk” food staple. Even this Jersey Girl who swears off most processed food, soda, dairy and red meat will succumb to this salty, mega-calorie, belly buster once every few months.

So let’s weigh the options:

A Max’s Fan Testimonial:

Best Dog around!
Max’s is near the beach in Long Branch. It is a big quarter lb Schickhaus beef/pork dog slow cooked on a griddle. Delicious and one of the best beef and pork dogs in the state. In fact, I would put Max’s right up there with the Galloping Hill Inn in Union as the best of this type. About a block away in Long Branch is the Windmill. They also have about a dozen other locations spread out across the state. I know they have one in Hazlet. A good dog with a very tough casing. I prefer Max’s. A little more flavor than the Windmill.By John Fox: avid hot dog eater for 40 years. Brings wife & children. Lives in California

For Team Windmill

Zagat Readers 2008 and 2009 declare “There’s nothing better than a crackling hot frank off the grill at this NJ hotdog haven”

Playing both sides – Bruce Springsteen’s Rock & Roll Manifesto

“Our love of all things American…cheeseburgers, baseball and hot dogs at Max’s and the Windmill.”

If you ever find yourself on the Shore, be sure to taste test them yourself and decide for yourself!